Editor’s note: The below recap contains spoilers for Yellowjackets Season 3 Episode 5.

Following last week’s jaw-dropping episode filled with unexpected twists, cliffhangers, and shocking character departures, <em>Yellowjackets</em> Season 3’s fifth episode is set to provide much-needed clarity. The shocking demise of Lottie (Simone Kessell) stands out as the most shocking moment from Episode 4, and while the details surrounding her death will be unveiled over time, the characters in the present are determined to uncover the truth. This week, however, the spotlight falls on Coach Scott (Steven Krueger) and the aftermath of his death sentence. As the team grapples with the heavy burden of their decision, emotions run high in Episode 5, titled “Did Tai Do That?” — and viewers are drawn into the intense emotional landscape as events unfold.

‘Yellowjackets’ Season 3 Episode 5 Reveals the Truth About Lottie Matthews

Commencing with the shocking revelations from the closing moments of Episode 4, where we learned of Lottie’s death, this week’s episode of Yellowjackets opens with an unsettling scene in the morgue. Here, we find Misty (Christina Ricci) paying a visit, driven by the need to confirm that the deceased is indeed Lottie. Tragically, her fears are confirmed. A haunting image captures adult Misty gazing at the lifeless body, which then transitions to a flashback of teenage Misty (Samantha Hanratty) observing a younger Lottie (Courtney Eaton) on the slab. The scene shifts back to the present as Misty requests Lottie’s personal belongings from the coroner, who hesitates, citing that she isn’t family. However, Misty cleverly mentions that valuable items occasionally go missing from the morgue and end up on auction sites, prompting him to relent. While awaiting his return, she seizes the moment to swab under Lottie’s nails for potential evidence and discreetly takes the crime scene photos, all while determined to uncover the truth.

Upon returning to her house, Misty gathers the remaining members of the Yellowjackets for an urgent meeting. She addresses Tai (Tawny Cypress) and Van (Lauren Ambrose), deliberately excluding Shauna (Melanie Lynskey). Misty prepares to share difficult news, ultimately delivering the devastating revelation that Lottie has passed away, leaving her friends in shock and disbelief. Van is taken aback by the unexpected news, while Shauna grapples with the reality of it, having just seen Lottie recently. To substantiate her claim, Misty produces the photos for them to see. She informs them that the coroner has ruled the death as accidental, attributing it to a fall down the stairs, yet Misty’s instincts tell her something is amiss.

Shauna, intrigued and suspicious, begins questioning Misty about her activities the day prior, particularly since she had left work early. The group collectively entertains the notion that it seems characteristic of Misty to orchestrate Lottie’s demise and then summon everyone for a discussion. Shauna further points out that if anyone had a motive to be upset with Lottie, it was Misty, especially since Lottie’s actions may have indirectly contributed to Natalie’s death (Juliette Lewis). Angered by this insinuation, Misty vows to uncover the truth behind Lottie’s death, not only for her sake but because it’s what Natalie would have wanted, before storming out in frustration.

Two Citizen Detectives Take on Lottie’s Murder Case in ‘Yellowjackets’ Season 3

While examining the items from Lottie’s belongings, Misty realizes that Lottie’s phone is missing. After calling the coroner, she learns that Lottie did not have her phone at the time of her death. This revelation propels Misty into a side quest to locate the phone, and unbeknownst to her, Shauna is following closely behind, doubting Misty’s innocence. However, as Shauna trails Misty, she is also being watched by another mysterious figure. In a twist of fate, Shauna loses sight of Misty while confronting her own pursuer, leading to a minor car accident involving her van. It shockingly turns out that Walter (Elijah Wood) is the one following her. He declares himself the Chief Citizen Detective in the case of Lottie’s murder, a title that Shauna finds both peculiar and thoughtful. Unsettled by Walter’s assumptions about her involvement, she questions his motives. He attempts to assure Shauna that he believes Misty is innocent and proposes that they team up to solve the mystery.

Meanwhile, Misty finds herself at a posh apartment complex, the same location where Lottie was discovered. After entering the basement, she notices crime scene tape and unsettling scratch marks on the walls. Engaging the front desk attendant, she learns that he has known Lottie since childhood and that she had been staying with her father in the penthouse for weeks. This information prompts Misty to go upstairs, where she pretends to be a neighbor collecting a misplaced package. Surprisingly, the ruse works, and Mr. Matthews invites her in, but warns her to be quick. As she searches through Lottie’s coat pockets, she uncovers a receipt for a substantial bank withdrawal of $50,000, raising the stakes in her investigation.

Before Misty can gather much more from Mr. Matthews, she realizes that Shauna and Walter have also arrived at the apartment, disguising themselves as internet technicians. While Shauna and Walter attempt to hack into Lottie’s internet history, Misty remains determined to find the missing phone. In a race against time, all three parties engage in a counterproductive competition to uncover evidence first. Ultimately, Walter finds the phone and resets it, a move that infuriates Misty. However, Walter reassures her that he cloned the device before resetting it and offers to share his findings, but Misty, still angry, refuses his help.

Shauna Honors Lottie in ‘Yellowjackets’ Season 3 Episode 5

Outside the Matthews penthouse, Shauna engages in a reflective conversation with Walter, pondering why Lottie claimed to have nowhere to go instead of returning to her father’s home after her psychiatric hold. Walter suggests that perhaps Lottie just needed companionship, a notion that Shauna finds complicated. Walter simplifies it, stating that Lottie was either a friend or she wasn’t, placing Misty firmly in the “not friend” category. Shauna retorts that Walter’s actions seem to impede Misty’s investigation, which won’t help her win back Lottie’s trust. In a moment of dark humor, Shauna insinuates that Walter could have killed Lottie himself just to provide Misty with a case to solve. Walter vehemently denies any involvement in Lottie’s death, offering a symbolic gesture of trust by asking Shauna to pull a hair from her head, explaining that having it would assist in identifying remains if something were to happen to them. Shauna, however, firmly declines and storms off, inadvertently leaving behind her fake technician hat, which Walter retrieves, along with a stray hair.

Meanwhile, inside the penthouse, Shauna immerses herself in Lottie’s room, taking in the personal artifacts that tell the story of a life that has been extinguished. The room is adorned with photographs of Lottie and the Yellowjackets, surrounded by mementos that reflect her vibrant existence. As Shauna stands there, memories flood back, intertwining images of Lottie as both a teenager and an adult, evoking a deep sense of loss. Mr. Matthews enters, mistaking Shauna for his daughter and admonishing her to tidy up. Shauna chooses to indulge him, stepping into the role of Lottie, which allows both characters to share a poignant moment. Mr. Matthews expresses his struggle to show love, and Shauna responds, echoing the sentiment that it can be challenging to convey affection in the ways we desire. They share a warm embrace, a gesture that feels healing for Shauna, symbolically allowing her to say farewell to Lottie.

Tai Reconnects with Sammy in ‘Yellowjackets’ Season 3 Episode 5

Later in